TRAIN DISASTER

Te Puke Times, Volume II, Issue II, 5 September 1913, Page 3

TRAIN DISASTER

HARROWING DETAILS.

15 KILLED, 25, INJURED.

London. Sept. 2 . A Glasgow express stopped at three o'clock in the morning for the want Of steam near the top of Aisgill Summit in pitch darkness. An Aberdeen express, travelling at full, speed, dashed, into the rear of the Glasgow train with terriffic force. The engine penetrated the end of one carriage and smashed several others. An indescribable scene followed. Wild screams came from many persons who were pinned beneath' the wreckage. The rescuers were unable to extricate them on account of the wreckage catching fire., ■ The fire blazed furiously, lighting up the darkness and driving back the workers. Several people were burned to death, including two children whose mother was also seriously injured.

Sh* A. Douglas, a re irecl New Zeahnder, who was imprisoned in a.burning'carriage, had a terrible experience. He was- badly burned and is in a critical state. IVany others suffered from burns and were injured in other ways. A number are seriously burned. One woman's hands were cut off. Injured passengers joined iff the rescue work. Some recognised their relations among the killed and injured. One lady was horrified at the discovery of .her dead husband. The rescuers saw a hand amidst the flames, frantically but vainly beckoning for help. Thirteen bodies, mostly adults, including one woman, have been recovered, but are unrecognisable. The driver and the firemen hud wonderful escapes. Many of the passengers were asleep at the time and some narrow and exciting escapes are recorded. One passenger who had been in a burned carriage changed at Carlisle into another.

It is stated that fifteen'parsons were killed and 25 injured. Sir A. Douglas is in a serious condition and; Ins been removed to a hospital.